12 December 2008

Weltverbesserungswahn

Only the Germans can give us words like weltverbesserungswahn. We're better off for it.It can be translated as 'the conviction that the world could be better'. Which is a fine description of why this blog exists.Better for everyone, especially rugrats like this.We just have to stick to the path, despite the challenges.And looking good while doing it certainly a plus.

Just like to point out that 'wahn' (similar to Dutch 'waan') means something like delusion, so the delusion that the world could be a better place. Maybe not something to advocate? Maybe 'weltverbesserungssicherheit' is a better word? (is it even a word?)

Anneke: re: Weltverbesserungssicherheit ... not a word. While Wahn can mean delusion, I think in this case the best translation would be obsession. It's not just the conviction that the world could be better; you have to be actively working on making the world better to be in the proper Weltverbesserungswahn. It's a great word.